Imaging method and system with optimized extended depth of focus

ABSTRACT

An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/970,987, filed Aug. 20, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/781,428, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,531,783, titled “Imaging Method and System for Imaging with Extended Depth of Focus,” by Zalevsky et al., that was filed May 17, 2010, which is a non-provisional patent application claiming benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/302,588 that was filed on Feb. 9, 2010. These applications in their entirety are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an imaging system and method for imaging with extended depth of focus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Extension of the depth of focus of imaging is a common goal of various imaging systems. Techniques for extending the depth of focus of imaging systems have been developed, and are described for example in the following publications:

U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,898 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,454 disclose extended depth of field optics for human eye. This technique utilizes modification of contact lenses, intraocular implants, and/or the surface of the eye itself. This is accomplished by applying selected phase variations to these optical elements (e.g., by varying surface thickness of the cornea of the eye). The phase variations EDF-code the wavefront and cause the optical transfer function to remain essentially constant within a range of distances from the in-focus position. This provides a coded image on the retina. The human brain decodes this coded image, resulting in an in-focus image over an increased depth of field.

US 2009/0279189 describes a lens having extended depth of focus. The lens includes a plurality of lens layers, each lens layer being axi-symmetric and having an extended depth of focus to focus light in a corresponding section of a focal curve in the form of a straight line located on an optical axis. In the optical system, light is focused on an optical axis to obtain a clear image in a wide distance range between a camera and an object. The optical system has a point spread function that is simpler and more symmetric. That is, the optical system provides improved continuity of a lens surface and easiness and flexibility in optical designing.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,917, U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,693, WO 07/141788, all assigned to the assignee of the present application, describe all-optical techniques for extending the depth of focus being thus suitable for use in ophthalmic applications. According to these techniques, an imaging arrangement comprises an imaging lens having a certain affective aperture, and an optical element associated with said imaging lens. The optical element is configured as a phase-affecting, substantially non-diffractive optical element defining a spatially low frequency phase transition. The optical element and the imaging lens define a predetermined pattern formed by spaced-apart substantially optically transparent features of different optical properties.

General Description

There is a need in the art in a novel all-optical technique, which provides for appropriately extended depth of focus (EDOF) of an imaging lens unit.

The present invention solves the above need by providing a novel coding mechanism for coding a light field in the vicinity of an imaging lens unit. The present invention takes advantage of the earlier technique developed by the inventors and disclosed for example in the above-indicated patent publications U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,917, U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,693, WO 07/141788.

The main idea of the present invention is based on the understanding of the following: Imaging systems, such as human eye, have a depth of focus (DOF) determined by a number of physical parameters—F/#, illumination spectrum and the aberrations terms (deviations from ideal imaging). For aberration-free system, the DOF could be defined as follows (using Rayleigh ¼ wave rule of thumb):

DOF=4λF/# ²

where F/#=D/EFL, D is the system clear aperture, and EFL is the system effective focal length.

Therefore, in order to extend the DOF of such an imaging system, the aperture of the imaging system is usually reduced, unavoidably resulting in the lost of energy and resolution. EDOF technology, developed by the inventors, utilizes phase-only coding (e.g. phase mask), having large spatial features (i.e. low spatial frequency phase transitions), located in the imaging system entrance pupil/aperture plane/exit pupil in order to extend the DOF without reducing the aperture, i.e. causing neither loss of energy, nor loss of resolution. This technique eliminates a need for any image processing in order to restore the image.

Phase coding of the effective aperture of an imaging lens unit for extending the depth of focus of the lens unit results in a total profile of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) different from that of the imaging lens unit with no phase coding. The inventors have found that such TFMTF profile defined by the EDOF-based phase coded imaging lens unit can be further optimized to obtain such a TFMTF profile, in which the TFMTF plot components corresponding to the desirably extended depth of focus for different wavelengths overlap in the optimal way. The optimization comprises applying additional coding to the light field in the vicinity of the phase coded effective aperture of the imaging lens unit selected to take into account the EDOF effect to be obtained by the phase coding within the imaging lens unit, e.g. continuous range EDOF or discrete multi-range EDOF, and to compensate for longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LCA) of such EDOF imaging lens unit. Further details of lenses providing phase coding are given in U.S. Pat. No. 7,061,693 issued on Jun. 13, 2006 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,917 issued on Apr. 29, 2008 both to Zalevsky. Both of said patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The LCA cause a shift in the extended focal position for different wavelengths, and could thus smear the performance of the EDOF equipped imaging system. The invention provides for compensating for LCA effect while extending the depth of focusing of the imaging lens unit. To this end, the invention utilizes a dispersion profile coding (chromatic aberrations correction) of the light field which has been or is to be phase coded to thereby provide imaging with the desired profile of extended depth of focus for multiple wavelengths where the wavelengths' TFMTF profiles are desirably overlapping within the EDOF profile. The term “compensating for LCA” as used herein means reducing LCA for a lens relative to the same lens exclusive of the dispersion profile coding.

Thus, the present invention in its one broad aspect provides an optical processor for applying to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit, said optical processor comprising a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties, said pattern being configured to define: a phase coder affecting Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function profiles for different wavelength components of said light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing of said light field passing through the imaging lens unit; and a dispersion profile coder configured to provide a predetermined overlapping between said profiles of the Through Focus Modulation Transfer Functions within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to “transmission mode” applications (such as ophthalmic applications), but is at the same time applicable to “reflective mode” imaging systems. In other words, the object and imaging planes may be located at the same side or at the opposite sides of the imaging lens unit. Accordingly, the term “imaging lens unit” should be interpreted broader than just one or more lenses, but also mirror or lens with reflective coating. Also, the term TFMTF should be referred to as through focus modulation transfer function.

The phase coder is implemented as a first pattern formed by a predetermined number of phase transitions being of substantially the same transparency and arranged with a low spatial frequency, so as to induce substantially non-diffractive phase effect onto the light field passing therethrough. The dispersion profile coder is implemented as a second pattern, which is substantially diffractive and which is configured to provide a predetermined optical power addition to the imaging lens unit. The optical power of the chromatic aberrations corrector is selected such that an imaging lens arrangement formed by said predetermined imaging lens unit, said phase coder and said dispersion profile coder is characterized by a desired dispersion profile.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second patterns are located at front and rear surfaces of the imaging lens unit, with respect to light propagation direction through the imaging lens unit. For example, the first and second patterns may be in the form of first and second surface reliefs on said front and rear surfaces of the imaging lens unit, respectively. According to another example, these may be phase mask and diffractive element located at said surface of the lens unit at a certain distances therefrom up to a physical contact. In yet another example, the first and second patterns may be incorporated in the lens unit, for example the phase coder pattern being formed by spaced-apart regions of a material having a refractive index different from that of the lens unit, and the dispersion profile coder is a diffractive pattern on one of the surfaces of the lens unit.

In another embodiment, the first and second patterns are configured as a surface relief on the same surface of the lens unit.

Thus, the first and second patterns may be defined by phase and diffractive masks located at the same or opposite sides of the lens unit; or these patterns are incorporated in the lens unit; or they define together a combined diffractive pattern comprising a superposition of said first and second patterns and being carried by the imaging lens unit.

According to another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided optical processor for processing light passing therethrough, comprising: an imaging lens unit providing optical power; a non-diffractive phase coder comprising an optical element that includes a pattern of spaced apart regions, said pattern being configured to affect a phase of light passing therethrough while substantially not effecting light diffraction and to provide an extended depth of focus for said lens, the imaging lens unit and said optical element being characterized by a Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for each of a plurality of different wavelength components of a light field passing therethrough; and a diffractive dispersion profile coder adapted to provide a reduction of chromatic aberration whereby there is greater overlap between the TFMTFs for the plurality of different wavelength components within the extended depth of focus.

The optical element and the dispersion profile coder may be disposed on the front and rear surfaces of the lens, respectively, or on a same surface of the imaging lens unit. At least one of the optical element and the dispersion profile coder may be incorporated in the imaging lens unit or an element of the imaging lens unit; or at least one of the optical element and the dispersion profile coder may be disposed at a location separated from the imaging lens unit or an element of the imaging lens unit. Yet another option is to combine the optical element and the dispersion profile coder as a superposition of a non-diffractive phase-affecting pattern of said optical element and a diffractive dispersion profile coder.

According to yet another broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an imaging lens carrying an optical processor adapted for extending the depth of focus with a predetermined dispersion profile.

The invention, in its yet further broad aspect, provides an imaging lens arrangement comprising an imaging lens unit and an optical processor associated with said imaging lens unit, the optical processor comprising a pattern of spaced-apart regions of different optical properties, said pattern comprising a phase coder affecting profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of a light field being imaged in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by said imaging lens arrangement; and a dispersion profile coder configured in accordance with the said imaging lens unit and said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

According to yet further broad aspect of the invention, there is provided an imaging lens comprising a pattern of spaced-apart regions of different optical properties, said pattern comprising a phase coder affecting profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of a light field being imaged in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by said imaging lens arrangement; and a dispersion profile coder configured in accordance with the said imaging lens unit and said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate dispersion effects in an imaging lens with EDOF;

FIG. 2A shows schematically an imaging lens arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a specific example of the implementation of the imaging arrangement of FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-3C exemplify the light field coding technique of the invention: FIG. 3A exemplifies an EDOF phase coding pattern, FIG. 3B exemplifies the dispersion profile coding pattern, and FIG. 3C shows a combined coding (pattern) applied to the light field propagating in the imaging lens arrangement; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B show, respectively, the dispersion of the TFMTF profiles for different wavelengths and the total TFMTF, in the imaging lens arrangement of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrating dispersion occurring in an imaging lens unit utilizing EDOF phase coding.

FIG. 1A shows the simulation results for a Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for 100 cyc/mm spatial frequency. Four graphs are shown, G₁-G₄, corresponding to four different wavelengths in the range 0.5-0.6 μm. This simulation was carried out with Zemax, using “Arizona Eye model”. As shown, there is a relative shift for each wavelength: the plot for wavelength 0.6 μm is shifted 0.18 mm away from the corresponding graph for wavelength of 0.5 μm.

Assuming all wavelengths are weighted the same (are of the same intensity), the resulted plot is illustrated in FIG. 1B.

Thus, for a given value of the TFMTF, the actual obtainable depth of focus (i.e. providing sufficient contract of the image) is smaller than that for each wavelength, e.g. for TFMTF=0.2, about 6 mm focal depth is obtained for each wavelength (FIG. 1A), while being about 4 mm for the total TFMTF plot (FIG. 1B).

Hence, there is a need to compensate the dispersion such as to cause the TFMTF plots overlap in the optimal way. It should be understood that the optimal way of overlapping means overlap within the required depth of focus region(s), defined by the specific applications. This may be one continuous region as for example required in ophthalmic applications, or dual- or multi-region depth of focus for example for imagers requiring improved image quality in the near and far vision zones.

The required compensation should take into account that DOF extensions for different wavelengths are different, i.e. larger for longer wavelength and smaller for shorter one, and also the initial depth of focus requirements with respect to a specific imaging lens unit. In other words, the chromatic aberrations correction (dispersion profile coding) should be configured in accordance with the depth of focus profiles, of the imaging lens with the EDOF effect, for the multiple wavelengths, e.g. those of the primary colors.

The present invention solves the above problem by providing an all-optical processor to be applied to a light field incident onto a predetermined imaging lens unit (e.g. passing through the lens unit). This optical processor is formed by passing light through a pattern of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. This pattern defines a phase coder affecting TFMTF profiles for different wavelength components in accordance with predetermined EDOF profiles for certain imaging lens unit, and also defines a dispersion profile coder configured to provide a predetermined overlapping between the TFMTF profiles within the EDOF profile.

Reference is made to FIG. 2A showing schematically an imaging arrangement 10 of the present invention. The imaging arrangement 10 includes an imaging lens unit 12 and an optical processor 14. The imaging lens unit 12 may include one or more optical elements configured and operable to create an image of an object in an imaging plane. The optical processor 14 may be a separate unit located close to (up to physical contact with) the imaging lens unit 12 (generally located so as to be in the vicinity of the effective aperture of the lens unit) located at either sides of the lens unit or both of them; or may be at least partially incorporated within the lens unit (embedded therein). The optical processor is configured to provide a desired profile of the extended depth of focus for the given imaging lens unit and a desired TFMTF profiles of multiple wavelengths within said profile of the extended depth of focus. As shown in FIG. 2A, the optical processor 14 includes a phase coder (mask) 16 defined by a first pattern PC and a dispersion profile coder 18 (e.g. mask) defined by a second pattern DC. In this example, the masks 16 and 18 are shown as being separate elements both separated from the lens unit, the phase coding mask 16 being located upstream of the lens unit and the dispersion coding mask 18 being located downstream of the lens with respect to the light propagation direction. It should however be noted that for the purposes of the invention the lens 12 and the coders 16, 18 may be arranged differently. Also, the codes of masks 16 and 18 may be integrated in a single pattern (mask) being separated from the lens or being integral therewith (e.g. embedded therein).

It should be understood that the imaging arrangement 10 is configured with one or more optical powers, to provide predetermined extension profile for the focus (focii) defined by said optical power, and to have a desired chromatic dispersion profile. The phase coder is configured to provide said predetermined extension profile, while substantially not adding any optical power to the lens unit. The desired optical power of the entire imaging arrangement for each wavelength is a sum of the respective optical powers of the elements of such arrangement. The dispersion coder is thus configured with a certain optical power (for each wavelength) selected such that the dispersion coder provides desirable shifts of the TFMTFs within the predetermined depth of focus extension profile. It should be understood that desired TFMTFs may be multi-lobe functions. Accordingly, for the given imaging lens with EDOF assembly, different dispersion codings might be used in order to achieve the desired overlap between different wavelength lobes.

FIG. 2B illustrates schematically an imaging arrangement 100 according to an example of the invention. The same reference numbers identify components common in all examples. The imaging arrangement 100 includes an imaging lens unit 12 (formed by a single lens in the present example), and an optical processor 14 which is carried by opposite sides 12A and 12B of the lens unit. Here, the phase and dispersion coders (patterns PC and DC) are implemented as surface patterns on the lens unit rear and front surfaces 12A and 12B. One of these patterns or both may be in the form of a surface relief; or may be formed by spaced-apart regions of a material having refractive index different from that of the lens.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3A-3C exemplifying the effect of the optical processor according to the light field coding technique of the invention. FIG. 3A exemplifies a radial profile of the EDOF phase coding pattern PC (mask), which is a phase only, substantially not diffractive pattern designed to provide a desired EDOF profile for said imaging lens unit. FIG. 3B exemplifies a radial profile of the dispersion profile coding pattern DC, which is a diffractive pattern designed in accordance with the imaging lens with the EDOF profile to desirably shift the EDOF components of different wavelengths within said desired profile. FIG. 3C shows a combined coding (pattern) applied to the light field propagating in the imaging lens arrangement.

Let us consider the above coding of the imaging lens unit similar to that of the example of FIGS. 1A-1B. The function of the chromatic aberrations corrector (dispersion profile coder), configured for properly shifting the EDOF TFMTF plots, is implemented by a diffractive element (e.g. Fresnel lens).

Diffractive lens focal length, f_(Diff), has the following wavelength dependency:

$f_{Diff} = \frac{\lambda_{0}f_{0}}{\lambda}$ $P_{Diff} = {\frac{1}{f_{Diff}} = \frac{\lambda}{\lambda_{0}f_{0}}}$

where f₀ is the focal length for a central wavelength λ₀.

FIG. 4A shows that application of the appropriately designed diffraction pattern to the EDOF imaging lens provides that the TFMTFs for multiple wavelength are well co-aligned (generally desirably overlap), giving a desired total TFMTF. The latter is shown in FIG. 4B.

The diffractive lens 18 used for dispersion profile coding was simulated as made of PMMA material with total thickness, T_(thick), determined as:

${Tthick} = \frac{\lambda}{n_{pmma} - n_{air}}$

n_(pmma) and n_(air) being respective refractive indices. The optical power of such diffractive lens is determined as that of refractive plano-convex lens having power, and in the present example is:

${Pdiff} = {\frac{\left( {n_{pmma} - n_{air}} \right)}{R} = {3.33\mspace{14mu} {Diopt}}}$

where R=150 mm is the radius of the plano-convex refractive lens carrying the above described diffractive pattern. In this example, the diffractive lens is configured for ophthalmic application considering the optical power of the eye lens.

Lenses as described herein can be embodied as any suitable ophthalmic lens. The term “ophthalmic lens” refers to an artificial lens for use with the eye. Preferred ophthalmic lenses are made of biomedical materials suitable for contact with eye tissue. The term “ophthalmic lens” includes but is not limited to intraocular lenses (IOLs), contact lenses, and corneal onlays or inlays.

It will be appreciated that non-optical components may be added in some embodiments of ophthalmic lenses (e.g., in intraocular lenses, one or more haptics may be added). Lenses according to aspects of the present invention can comprise combinations of surfaces having any suitable shape (plano, convex, concave). The illustrated embodiments of lenses have only one zone; however, other embodiments may have multiple zones, the zones having different optical powers.

In some embodiments, the lenses may be embodied as intraocular lenses adapted to provide accommodative movement. For example, a lens according to aspects of the present invention can be used in a dual element accommodative lens as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,708 issued Dec. 4, 2002, to Sarfarazi, or a single element accommodative lens as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,282, issued Sep. 7, 1997, to Cumming.

A pattern may be placed on a surface of the lens by various techniques known in the art. As a first example, the pattern may be lathe cut, lased or etched directly into the lens surface. As a second example, the pattern may be provided on a mold having a molding surface for forming the lens surface, wherein the pattern is transferred to the mold during casting of the lens. For example, a conventional manner of making contact lenses involves casting a mixture of lens-forming monomers in a two-part plastic mold. One mold part includes a molding surface for forming the front lens surface, and the second mold part includes a molding surface for forming the back lens surface. The monomer mixture is polymerized, or cured, while in the two-part mold to form a contact lens. The plastic mold parts are injected molded from a metal tool. For such a method, the pattern may be provided on the metal tools, such as by lathing, and thus transferred to the contact lens surface during the casting process.

Having thus described the inventive concepts and a number of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be implemented in various ways, and that modifications and improvements will readily occur to such persons. Thus, the embodiments are not intended to be limiting and presented by way of example only. The invention is limited only as required by the following claims and equivalents thereto. 

1. An imaging lens unit comprising: a lens having a certain optical power and depth of focus, and first and second patterns carried by the lens, the first pattern being formed by a predetermined number of phase transitions being of substantially the same transparency and arranged with a low spatial frequency, so as to induce substantially non-diffractive phase effect onto the light field, and a second pattern being substantially diffractive to induce dispersion and which is configured to provide a predetermined optical power addition to the imaging lens, such that total optical power of the imaging lens unit corresponds to a desired optical power, dispersion and depth of focus properties of the imaging lens unit.
 2. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein said first pattern is configured for extending the depth of focus of the lens to provide a predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing for different wavelengths; and said second pattern is configured to provide said desired optical power being substantially the same for different wavelengths.
 3. An imaging lens unit according to claim 2, wherein said first pattern is configured for affecting profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of a light field being imaged by the lens in accordance with the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to be obtained, and the second pattern is configured in accordance with the optical power of the lens and said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing
 4. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second patterns are located at front and rear surfaces of the lens, with respect to light propagation direction towards the imaging lens.
 5. An imaging lens unit according to claim 4, wherein the first and second patterns are in the form of first and second surface reliefs on said front and rear surfaces of the lens.
 6. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second patterns are masks attached to the same or opposite sides of the lens.
 7. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second patterns are embedded in the lens.
 8. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second patterns is embedded in the lens, and other of said first and second patterns is located at either surface of the lens.
 9. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second patterns are incorporated in the lens, the first pattern being formed by spaced-apart regions of a material having a refractive index different from that of the lens, and the second diffractive pattern being a surface relief on one of the surfaces of the lens.
 10. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the first and second patterns define together a combined diffractive pattern comprising a superposition of said first and second patterns.
 11. An imaging lens unit according to claim 1, wherein the imaging lens is an ophthalmic lens.
 12. An imaging lens unit according to claim 11, wherein said ophthalmic lens is configured as one of the following: a contact lens, an intraocular lens, or an intracorneal lens. 